Celebrating T-man

We celebrated all of T-man’s hard work on Friday night with some games of pool and dinner at Red Robin. T-man worked extremely hard in his reading pull our class that next year we are going to put him in the regular reading class. The teachers were so impressed with his progress, his determination, and his great attitude. He was determined to get out of this class and his hard work paid off. 

It was a great year for him as he made the honor roll both semesters and did an amazing job making the transition. So proud of him!! 

Last Day of School 2019

20 Years

Twenty years ago this month, Marshall and I had our first date. I didn’t remember the exact date, but Marshall thinks it was the 22nd. How fitting then that Marshall and I dropped off T-man and his buddy at soccer camp and hit the brewery for a drink on the 22nd. I am so thankful to have had this wonderful man by my side for the last 20 years - here’s to 20 more (at least)! 

Brewery date 

Fortunate

Last week, Return Path hosted some of our largest clients in downtown Denver at the Oxford hotel for our Customer Advisory Board. I presented for a few minutes on what my teams are working on and I kicked off the presentation by talking about the fact that Marshall and I were married at the Oxford 18 years ago and that I highly recommend they take George (my boss) up on his offer for drinks in the Cruise Room.  On the 2nd night, it was also quite ironic that we went to the Wynkoop Brewery (where we hosted our rehearsal dinner) for dinner and pool.

The event wrapped up on Wednesday around noon and then the leadership team was able to go out to lunch on a beautiful spring day. I'm so thankful for all that Return Path has given me the last 8.5 years.

Soccer Season Wrap Up

T-man’a soccer team wrapped up this weekend with a victory, a tie, and a pizza party. With this weekend’s victory, the team ended up in first place in their division! The best part has been seeing T-man enjoy soccer and improve. He had a headed goal in the 6-1 victory on Saturday and was so excited!! 

We also lucked out with the families on the team. We didn’t know what we were walking into and fortunately, it was a great group of parents and a coach that the boys loved. He loved soccer, but was also intent on being a positive role model for the boys and focused on coaching the whole child. 

Ready for action! 

On defense 

Lacrosse Banquet

We attended a nice banquet to celebrate the lacrosse team. The varsity team went 13-2 and made it to state. So, it was a great season and the coaches really celebrated the seniors. It was clear the coaches are focused on their role in raising young men which was great to hear. In addition, many varsity boys also received academic awards which was great. 

Frisbee

Doesn’t happen as often anymore, but this week the boys are playing frisbee together. View out the back windo while I cook dinner. 

This

I have been writing down what I am thankful for most evenings for some time now. I realize how much I truly have to be thankful for - and days like today are a good reminder. My boys and my husband make my days so full. And even when the day didn’t go exactly as planned because life is messy and real (had to postpone my walk for a Target run), it was a beautiful day - breakfast, watching premier league soccer with D-man, errands, brunch, nap, walk, boys playing frisbee together, trying a new recipe for dinner, drinks and dinner on the porch, and talking to my Mom and Dad. All of this. This is what I am thankful for. 

Breakfast by Marshall 

D-man getting us safely to brunch in Boulder 

Lovely brunch at  Chautauqua Dining Hall in Boulder 

The creek flowing high on my afternoon walk 

Birthday Celebration!

We wrapped up the week celebrating our friend Paul’s birthday. We started the evening with a night of virtual golf (I was bad, Marshall was good). Then we had a nice dinner at Parma and then after we all got the kiddos to bed, we played pool in the Peavy pool hall. So thankful for our friendship with the Wrights - looking forward to Vegas in two weeks! 

Fun time! 

We even had our party ball going 

Band Superhero

On Tuesday, the middle school bands performed their final concert of the year. The 6th grade band performed four theme songs from various movies. My favorite was the Pirates of the Caribbean. We are very lucky to have such an engaging band teacher for these kids. 

T-man’s drawing of his instrument as a superhero as part of his band bingo assingnmemt 

And look at this new do! He loves it!! E

Middle School Track Meet

The 2nd meet of the year was hosted at Louisville Midde School. In the first meet, T-man did all field events and Marshall missed all the events. This has been frustrating to us as T-man is a really good runner. 

This week, he decided to do the 100 yard dash which is a step in the right direction, but not his best distance.  Our friend talked the boys into running the 400 and he won his heat and got 2nd overall. He’s currently doing probability in math class and we talked about how many kids run each events and the odds of winning. We also talked about the fact that he was stronger in the distance events (and he brought up the fact that a girl in track can beat him in the 100, but he beats her in the longer distances. 

In the end, he states he still doesn’t like running, but we were proud of him for pushing himself in the meet. And he still took advantage of all the field events. 

High  jump 

Walking with his buddy 

Long jump 

100 yard dash 

Cinco de Mayo Party

Last year, we decided to host a last minute Cinco de Mayo party and decided to do the same thing this year. Marshall sent out the invite Friday and once again, we had a good turnout and perfect weather. It also meant we got both porches cleaned off and the yard ready. Marshall made his delicious margaritas and people brought a good variety of goodies. A fun afternoon hanging with friends - summer is almost here! 

Ready for guests 

(Marshall in the back restocking the margaritas) 

We also enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby on Saturday night before eating our first meal on the back patio. 

Mint Juleps 

Patio season has started 

BCSC

We headed right from Colorado Springs to T-man’s soccer game in Golden. We were a bit late, but didn’t miss any goals in the 5-3 victory for the team. T-man played really well and had a goal at the end of the game. 

They had a substitute coach and at the end of the game he called the boys over and was telling them he had been coaching for several years and was praising them for their great attitude and heart. How great to hear. 

Brave Heart

Today was the last day of lacrosse for the Monarch High  Coyotes. We had to travel down to Monument (just north of Colorado Springs) for an 8:30 game. We ended up in a tie at the end of regulation so the game ended in “brave heart” where you have one player from each team and a goalie from each team and the first team to score wins. We got the ball first and missed our shot and then they missed their shot. We got the ball back and scored. What an exciting finish! 

The team immediately headed to their next game and ended up crushing the team. Considering the tough season, it was a nice way to wrap up the season. D-man even came across midfield and had several shots on goal and one finally went in right before the game was over. 

And a bonus that the game was just a few minutes from the Randell’s house so they came for the game and then we went out to lunch. 

Brave heart 

#6 on offense 

After the game

At lunch 

And the Beat Goes On

This week, Return Path was purchased by Validity. With change, comes a great deal of emotions: sadness of what you are losing, fear of the future, and excitement of new opportunities. I’ve definitely had all of these feelings recently. 

One thing I do know is that no matter what lies ahead, I am very thankful to Return Path for the last 8.5 years. I’ve met amazing people, grown, learned, participated in leadership training, taken a sabbatical, had a short commute for the last six years, been able to work remotely to spend time in Pender during the summer, and had work/life balance that has allowed me play all the roles that are important to me in my life -  a professional, a mom, a wife, a friend and volunteer. 

During the final session of our leadership journey in NYC, we put on a show called, “One Last Show” and I was the drummer in the band. My flight was delayed the last day and I was able to sit in Bryant Park and took a picture of my drum from the play which was a fitting way to wrap up the week. No matter what happens, the beat certainly goes on (and happy hour with Marshall on the day of the announcement certainly helps with that). 

 

The beat goes on 

Cheers to new beginnings